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Oct 16, 2024

OPINION: Get ready for aluminum wiring in brand new homes | Opinion | derbyinformer.com

JIM HOWELL Sedgwick County Commission Fifth District Back in the mid-70s, aluminum wiring for homes was banned nationally as it was discovered to be the cause for many fires and deaths. Installed

JIM HOWELL

Sedgwick County Commission Fifth District

Back in the mid-70s, aluminum wiring for homes was banned nationally as it was discovered to be the cause for many fires and deaths. Installed correctly, in most cases, aluminum wire is not a problem. But mistakes during installation have led to corrosion, metal fatigue, broken conductors and loose connections that may arc and ignite a fire.

Nevertheless, soft aluminum wiring was allowed and became popular because it was less expensive than copper wire. The motive for using aluminum was economic, but the true cost was human suffering and death.

Sedgwick County Commissioners wear many hats. One of the things we do is review and adopt building codes. In most cases, regulations are a response to new technology or are adopted for life and safety reasons.

Generally, I have been somewhat reluctant to adopt more restrictive regulations because they usually lead to more cost. Unnecessary regulations are like a hidden tax. I don’t mind permissive regulations as much because they clarify how something should be done if it is done. Conversely, mandatory regulations must have verified compliance or occupancy is not permitted.

Sedgwick County generally makes an update to building regulations about every three years. This last month, the commission adopted another update to the electrical codes based on recommendations from the National Electric Code. I couldn’t support the update because it included new regulations that either waste money or add life and safety risk.

On the latter, we will now allow copper-clad aluminum wiring for 10-amp lighting circuits. The newer type wire is still being engineered, but it will be going into new homes very soon. I’m not sure how much this will save but, regardless, the homebuilder, not the homebuyer, will capture the savings. Worse, the homeowner is unlikely to know that there is cheaper wiring buried in the walls.

Copper-clad wire makes the use of standard devices possible and minimizes corrosion. The newer aluminum alloy is supposed to be less susceptible to temperature or brittleness. Nevertheless, we should not jump on the bandwagon before this new material is proven. How many times in the past have we seen building codes allow something that was later banned? Masonite siding, DDT pesticide, PCB transformers, lead paint and asbestos have been eliminated along with 1970’s aluminum wire. Personally, I would not buy a new house with cheap aluminum wiring hidden in the walls. This allowance may save money, but at what cost?

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